By Geri Powell
June 29, 2009

USCM Chairman of the Mayors Business Council Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, Conference President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, and USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran emphasized the importance of mayors and the business community working together for the long term prosperity of our cities on June 13 during the Mayors and Business Leaders Plenary Breakfast.

Diaz applauded the business leaders, stating, "As President of the Conference, I called upon you — and you responded — on the Mayors' MainStreet Economic Recovery package."

Thanking them he said, "You continue to support us as we work to implement this new law, and there is much more to be done."

Goodman, who convened and opened the plenary session, stressed the importance of business partnerships to cities, stating, "When business stands with us we are stronger." He called on the business community to "work with us to make federal investments and practices responsive to the concerns and needs of the metro economies."

Following up on Goodman's remarks, Cochran committed to having a "strong and engaged business community" within the Conference, "sharing and working with mayors on visions of success to make our metro economies, our cities and our nation economically stronger."

The session included the announcement of the 2009–2010 Co-Chairs of the Business Council Steering Committee Lucinda Crabtree, President, Crabtree - Co, Inc., and Dan Gillison, National Director — State, Local and Public Safety — Public Sector, Sprint-Nextel.